An F-16 makes a low pass overhead during an event marking the ending of manned flight at the 132nd Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Charlie Litchfield/The Des Moines Register)

The gathering of patriots squinted into the bright mid-day sky as the final flight of three F-16s from the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing, roared overhead at 500 mph above the Des Moines International Airport. Three final tight turns, three final, symbolic passes over the crowd, giving them a final view of American air power, three final approaches and finally three touchdowns and landings for these jets that have been stationed in Des Moines for the past 72 years. Now defense budget cuts have moved these F-16's to New Jersey, and terminated 300 jobs in Iowa.

My wife and I were lucky enough to be invited to view the final flights of these F-16s, as our son, Jon, is a crew chief with the Iowa National Guard. A young child said "the jets were too loud." Her father commented, "Honey, that's the sound of freedom."

Americans are very proud of their military heritage. Across the globe, nations respected the military might of the United States, and respected the United States president. Not so much anymore!

As President Barack Obama contemplated a military strike against Syria, no other nation in Europe or the middle East would join in his "red line in the sand" ultimatum. "Walk softly, but carry a big stick" made Theodore Roosevelt a leader to be respected.

"The buck stops here" made Harry Truman a president who could make tough decisions in tough times. Somehow that international respect has vanished. The Benghazi murders, the Edward Snowden scandal, Vladimir Putin snubbing Obama at every chance, but at least we've got Dennis Rodman making friends with the North Korean dictator.

I hope and pray for peace and stability in this dangerous world, but the continued decline in American moral, and military strength, leaves me very concerned for our children's future, and the status of American leadership across the globe.

- Tom Greene, Burlington

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Letter to the editor: Our military is still mighty, even if our current leader in White House is not

The gathering of patriots squinted into the bright mid-day sky as the final flight of three F-16s from the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing, roared overhead at 500 mph above the Des